Mayor: Equity firm reneged on promise

The city of Missoula has amended its eminent domain filing in its effort to gain ownership of the water system that serves its residents.

The complaint filed Monday says Carlyle Infrastructure asked for the city's support for its 2011 purchase of Mountain Water Co. to gain approval from the Public Service Commission. In exchange, Carlyle officials reportedly said they would sell the company to the city in February 2013.

Missoula Mayor Jim Engen says the previous owner didn't want the water system in public ownership so the agreement with Carlyle wasn't placed in writing. The complaint lists instances when Carlyle director Robert Dove verbally agreed to sell to the city and naming those who witnessed the talks.

The Missoulian reports Carlyle spokesman Chris Ullman did not comment what the city called a "bait and switch."